NIU Board of Trustees expresses support for DACA students

DeKalb, Ill. – During its regular meeting of Sept. 14, the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution expressing support for the approximately 200 students enrolled at NIU who would be affected by the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The resolution went on to state the board’s support for legislative actions that would lead to the creation of a pathway for citizenship for DACA participants.

Walker Coleman, chair of the NIU Board of Trustees, is available for interviews on the board’s stance on this issue by contacting the university at the number below.

The resolution reads as follows:

Solidary Support from the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University Regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program

WHEREAS, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was established in 2012 and allowed those who immigrated to the United States as children younger than the age of 16 prior to 2007, to remain in the country and obtain work permits on a renewable basis if they met a series of criteria;

WHEREAS, on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, President Trump initiated an executive order to end DACA, affecting the lives of more than 800,000 immigrants; and

WHEREAS, the State of Illinois has joined at least 15 other states in challenging the recent federal legislation that serves to overturn the protection measures of the DACA program; and

WHEREAS, Northern Illinois University (NIU) Acting President Lisa Freeman has issued a clear and swift response of commitment of continued support to all NIU students and their educational pursuits, as well as employees, regardless of their immigration status; and

WHEREAS, NIU proactively fosters an inclusive culture for all – including more than 200 undocumented students, who are seeking a path to citizenship as well as economic and societal stability; and

WHEREAS, NIU is taking a transparent position of solidarity in standing with our undocumented students and employees, in vowing to continue to offer resources and forums to address the inevitable repercussions of the White House actions to rescind DACA,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University supports legislative actions to create a pathway for citizenship for DACA participants; and we strongly encourage all local, state and national citizens to support our position of solidarity;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this RESOLUTION be sent to Illinois lawmakers and a copy of this document be placed in the official files of the Board of Trustees as part of the permanent record of the University and the great State of Illinois and as a lasting testament of the voice of this body, which believes in due process rights for all and the tenets of the United States Constitution.

Adopted in a regular meeting assembled this 14th day of September, 2017.